Reindeer Learning Gardens: Teaching Sustainability through Agriculture

The University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Reindeer Learning Gardens offers a unique opportunity for students and community members to learn about cultivating plants in the challenging Interior climate. As a result of a collaborative effort, this garden has become a valuable resource for both individuals and the local community.

Types of Plants Grown in the Garden

• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Eggplants
• Peppers

Mallory Smith, the Garden Manager at the Alaska Harvest Collaborative, which oversees the Reindeer Learning Gardens, has listed the variety of plants grown in the garden, including carrots, potatoes, herbs, snap peas, squash, and much more. These plants are grown in the warmer conditions surrounding the garden, allowing them to thrive.

History of the Reindeer Learning Gardens

The endeavor began during the COVID-19 pandemic when students sought to learn how to grow their own food through collaboration with the Georgeson Botanical Garden.